Postcards from the Edge – Thai Mine Exploration Project

Project period: 1 Nov 2022 – Present

Bottomline Projects Foundation is mapping and documenting flooded metal-ore mines in the karst mountains of Kanchanaburi, about 400 km northwest of Bangkok. The two main sites, Boh Yai and Song Toh, once produced silver, lead, zinc and gold; mining stopped 25 years ago and the tunnels are now a key freshwater source and home to at least ten newly discovered cave-adapted species.

Goals:

•  Record the cultural history of the mines
•  Survey tunnels with 3-D photogrammetry, Mnemo and Seacraft ENC3 tools
•  Check stability, water quality and ecology
•  Prepare safe training routes and promote mine diving in Asia

Progress so Far:
Boh Yai South: 1650 m of permanent line, surveyed to 106 m depth.
Boh Yai North: 3000 m of line, max depth 87 m, decompression habitat installed.
Song Toh and several smaller mines: initial dives only; further work planned.

Next Steps:
Continue mapping, expand biological sampling, improve safety infrastructure and carry out full risk assessments before any public diving is allowed.

Core Dive Team (“The Filthy Few”):
Mikko Paasi, Por Parasu Komaradat, Norrased Palasing, Audita Harsono, Naomi Allen plus additional volunteers.

Supported by: X-Deep Exploration Support, Seal Drysuits, KISS Rebreathers, Big Blue Dive Lights, Seascout Diving and Koh Tao Divers.

Contact: [email protected] or [email protected]